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Indexen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Tue, 03 Mar 2015 19:24:37 GMT2015-03-03T19:24:37Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell – will something be lost in translation?http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/jan/06/scarlett-johansson-ghost-in-the-shell
<p>The Hollywood star is the latest westerner to be cast in a role that seems destined for an Asian actress</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jan/06/scarlett-johansson-ghost-in-the-shell-remake-film">Scarlett Johansson plugs into lead role in Ghost in the Shell remake</a></li></ul><p>In the crammed, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/ghost-in-the-shell">hyper-connected near-future of Ghost in the Shell</a>, the heroine is an implacable anti-terrorist cyborg who, between stealthy infiltrations and deafening gunfights, finds room in her over-clocked consciousness to contemplate the nature of her existence. Is Major Motoko Kusanagi anything other than a lethal instrument of the Japanese government? Could her childhood memories simply be Blade Runneresque implants? With her extreme body and brain modifications, is she even human? </p><p>Now that <a href="http://variety.com/2015/film/news/scarlett-johansson-signs-on-to-star-in-dreamworks-ghost-in-the-shell-exclusive-1201320788/">Scarlett Johansson has signed up to star</a> as the lead in a live-action Ghost in the Shell adaptation from UK director Rupert Sanders and DreamWorks, other questions of identity have been raised. Primarily: should an American actress be cast in what is clearly a Japanese part? Or is it insulting to Masamune Shirow’s original manga series, another instance of Hollywood valuing star power over authenticity? At this stage, it’s unclear whether any Asian actresses were even given the opportunity to audition for the part.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/jan/06/scarlett-johansson-ghost-in-the-shell">Continue reading...</a>Scarlett JohanssonGhost in the ShellCultureMangaComics and graphic novelsFilmTue, 06 Jan 2015 16:14:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/jan/06/scarlett-johansson-ghost-in-the-shellPhotograph: Canadian Press/REX/Canadian Press/REXManga or mangle? Can Johannson pull off an anime classic?Photograph: Canadian Press/REX/Canadian Press/REXManga or mangle? Can Johannson pull off an anime classic?Graeme Virtue2015-01-06T16:14:20ZSky-high expectations for Marvel's super-slate of comic book movieshttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/oct/30/superhero-comic-book-movies-cinemas
<p>Hollywood is set to saturate cinemas with high-octane superhero films until 2019, but Marvel pioneered the “universe” concept and its newly-announced slate of interlinked films looks ready to outpower the rest.</p><p>If you hate comic-book movies, it might be a good idea to stay away from multiplexes for the next five years. Warner/DC has just announced its own slate of 10 interlinked superhero films, while 20th Century Fox gave the long-running X-Men saga a new lease of life this year with the daring, thematically complex Days of Future Past.</p><p>Sony’s Spider-Man is set to explore supervillain title The Sinister Six before returning with a third solo webslinger flick, while Paramount has just jumped on board with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. There’s even a remake of the overrated The Crow in the works.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/oct/30/superhero-comic-book-movies-cinemas">Continue reading...</a>Superhero moviesAction and adventureMarvelFilmComics and graphic novelsBooksThu, 30 Oct 2014 10:24:56 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/oct/30/superhero-comic-book-movies-cinemasPhotograph: APThe Guardians of the Galaxy team.Photograph: APThe Guardians of the Galaxy team.Photograph: Allstar/Marvel Studios/Sportsphoto LtdThor: The Dark World.Photograph: Allstar/Marvel Studios/Sportsphoto LtdThor: The Dark World.Photograph: Sportsphoto Ltd.AllstarCaptain America 3 is on its way … Photograph: Sportsphoto Ltd/AllstarPhotograph: Sportsphoto Ltd.AllstarCaptain America 3 is on its way … Photograph: Sportsphoto Ltd/AllstarBen Child2014-10-30T10:24:56ZCan Warner Bros' wave of DC superhero movies sock it to Marvel?http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/oct/17/warner-dc-superhero-movies-batman-superman-wonder-woman-justice-league-to-watch
<p>A debut Wonder Woman movie, three Justice League films and solo efforts for the Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg will power Warner Bros’ bid to take on rival Marvel. Which will be worth watching?</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/oct/15/dc-batman-superman-justice-league-movie-avengers">DC announces Batman, Superman and Justice League movies to rival Avengers</a><br></li><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jun/19/jason-momoa-aquaman-game-of-thrones">Why Jason Momoa’s Game of Thrones cachet makes him perfect for Aquaman</a></li></ul><p>Ever since Marvel Studios triumphed with its pioneering filmic universe of interlinked superhero epics, it was inevitable that Warner Bros would follow suit with its own version based on the rival DC Comics back catalogue. Even so, the studio’s <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/oct/15/dc-batman-superman-justice-league-movie-avengers">newly announced 10-film slate of comic book movies</a> looks a hugely impressive venture.</p><p>It also appears to be a pretty risky one. Recent Sony outing The Amazing Spider-Man 2 has been labelled a failure after picking up “just” $709m at the global box office last year, such “meagre” pickings apparently derailing plans for a third instalment and pushing the studio towards prioritising supervillain spin-off The Sinister Six instead. Yet Warner is launching a 10-movie series off the back of Man of Steel, which made only $668m globally and received lukewarm reviews.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/oct/17/warner-dc-superhero-movies-batman-superman-wonder-woman-justice-league-to-watch">Continue reading...</a>Superhero moviesWarner BrosComics and graphic novelsFilmCultureBatman v Superman: Dawn of JusticeGreen LanternBen AffleckMarvelBooksSupermanThe Amazing Spider-Man 2Fri, 17 Oct 2014 15:16:26 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/oct/17/warner-dc-superhero-movies-batman-superman-wonder-woman-justice-league-to-watchPhotograph: Photograph: Zack SnyderBen Affleck suited up as Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.Photograph: Photograph: Zack SnyderBen Affleck suited up as Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.Photograph: Photograph: Paul A Hebert/Invision/APGal Gadot, who has been cast as Wonder Woman.Photograph: Photograph: Paul A Hebert/Invision/APGal Gadot, who has been cast as Wonder Woman.Photograph: Photograph: Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesActors Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot will star as Superman and Wonder Woman in The Justice League.Photograph: Photograph: Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesActors Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot will star as Superman and Wonder Woman in The Justice League.Photograph: Photograph: Simon Varsano/APJason Momoa pictured as Conan in Conan the Barbarian, is soon to play Aquaman.Photograph: Photograph: Simon Varsano/APJason Momoa pictured as Conan in Conan the Barbarian, is soon to play Aquaman.Photograph: Sportsphoto Ltd/Allstar/Universal PicturesDwayne Johnson, pictured in Fast &amp; Furious 6, will play the villain Black Adam to Shazam’s hero.Photograph: Sportsphoto Ltd/Allstar/Universal PicturesDwayne Johnson, pictured in Fast &amp; Furious 6, will play the villain Black Adam to Shazam’s hero.Photograph: Allstar/PRBen Affleck as Batman (in a picture leaked by director Zack Snyder) will come up against Henry Cavill’s Superman in the new film.Photograph: Allstar/PRBen Affleck as Batman (in a picture leaked by director Zack Snyder) will come up against Henry Cavill’s Superman in the new film.Ben Child2014-10-17T15:16:26ZWhy Michael Keaton should watch Christopher Nolan’s Batman movieshttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/oct/10/why-michael-keaton-should-watch-christopher-nolans-batman-movies
<p>Michael Keaton was a superb Batman, but in order to be the best, you have to be in the greatest Batman films – and he wasn’t</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/gallery/2013/aug/23/batman-man-of-steel-in-pictures">Batman: the dark knight through the years - in pictures</a><br></li><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/series/week-in-geek">More from Week in geek</a><br></li></ul><p>You might think that as the actor who first portrayed Batman on the big screen in the modern era, Michael Keaton might have taken the time to sit down and watch the critically acclaimed recent Christopher Nolan trilogy, starring Christian Bale as the caped crusader. But you would be wrong: in a new <a href="http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/10/08/this-weeks-cover-michael-keaton-is-not-birdman/">interview with Entertainment Weekly</a> to promote his film Birdman (which riffs off Keaton’s own past in superhero blockbusters and subsequent slip from the A-list), the 63-year-old actor reveals he has never bothered to properly watch any of the new films.</p><p>“Chris Nolan is great, but I’ve never seen any of the Batman movies all the way through,” says Keaton. “I know they’re good. I just have zero interest in those kinds of movies. I mean, people are asking me, ‘Is Ben Affleck going to be any good?’ And my attitude is, First of all, why would you ask me? Second, he’s probably going to be very good, and third, frankly, it’s all set up now so that you’re weirdly kind of safe. Once you get in those suits, they really know what to do with you. It was hard then; it ain’t that hard now.”</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/oct/10/why-michael-keaton-should-watch-christopher-nolans-batman-movies">Continue reading...</a>BatmanSuperhero moviesMichael KeatonChristopher NolanAction and adventureBatman BeginsFilmTim BurtonComics and graphic novelsBooksJack NicholsonCultureFri, 10 Oct 2014 17:46:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/oct/10/why-michael-keaton-should-watch-christopher-nolans-batman-moviesPhotograph: Warner Bros/PhotofestJack Nicholson as the Joker in Batman.Photograph: Warner Bros/PhotofestJack Nicholson as the Joker in Batman.Photograph: Sportsphoto Ltd/AllstarGothic fairytale world … Michael Keaton in Tim Burton’s Batman. Photograph: Sportsphoto Ltd/AllstarPhotograph: Sportsphoto Ltd/AllstarGothic fairytale world … Michael Keaton in Tim Burton’s Batman. Photograph: Sportsphoto Ltd/AllstarBen Child2014-10-10T17:46:08ZBig Hero 6 first footage: a comic-book movie that kids and grownup kids will enjoyhttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/sep/18/big-hero-6-comic-book-movie-for-kids-and-grownups
<p>Disney’s forthcoming film adaption of Marvel’s comic about a boy superhero and his robot friend reinvents the kid-sidekick trope – and could mark a new direction for comic-book movies<br><br>• <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/sep/01/big-hero-6-disney-comic-book-film-movie-adaptation">Big Hero 6 marks Disney’s first proper step into comic-book adaptation</a></p><p>Let’s be honest: most comic-book movies today are not aimed at kids. Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies are far too terrifying for the average 12-year-old, while Marvel fare deals in death and destruction on an epic scale. All of which means that superhero movies will soon be incapable of addressing the youthful target audience these films, and their comic-book counterparts, were once aimed at.</p><p>In Big Hero 6, Disney Animation Studios appears to have found the solution. It takes a quirky, ferociously detailed and stylised approach, reminiscent of the best work by sister studio Pixar, to create a film that is aimed at kids but which grownups – and the all-important 30-something fanboy blogger demographic – will also adore.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/sep/18/big-hero-6-comic-book-movie-for-kids-and-grownups">Continue reading...</a>Big Hero 6FilmCultureFilm adaptationsBooksComics and graphic novelsMarvelAnimationSuperhero moviesWalt Disney CompanyThu, 18 Sep 2014 11:01:11 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/sep/18/big-hero-6-comic-book-movie-for-kids-and-grownupsPhotograph: PRBig Hero 6 film stillPhotograph: PRBig Hero 6 film stillPhotograph: /DisneyA new way forward for comic-book movies … Hiro Hamada and his robot sidekick are coming to the big screen in Big Hero Six. Photograph: DisneyPhotograph: /DisneyA new way forward for comic-book movies … Hiro Hamada and his robot sidekick are coming to the big screen in Big Hero Six. Photograph: DisneyBen Child2014-09-18T11:01:11ZDredd sequel: he ought to be sent back where he came fromhttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/sep/12/week-in-geek-judge-dredd-sequel-should-adapt-origins
<p>If the cult hit Dredd is to get a second film, it should be an adaptation of the outlandish comic-book story Origins, in which the hero journeys into mutant-strewn badlands in search of his father</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/sep/06/dredd-review">Read the Guardian review of 2012’s Dredd</a><br></li><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2012/jun/22/judge-dredd-remake-karl-urban">Watch the trailer for the movie</a></li></ul><p>In a world in which we are apparently to get a full half-dozen <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jan/28/guy-ritchie-king-arthur-film-camelot">Guy Ritchie-directed King Arthur movies</a>, it’s a mystery that no one in Hollywood has seen fit to cough up the greenbacks for a single Dredd sequel. Pete Travis and Alex Garland’s 2012 adaptation of the 2000AD comic strip about an implacable future cop who lives to fight crime on the streets of the sci-fi metropolis Mega-City One has attained the status of a bona fide cult classic in record time. It’s one of the rare genre movies that bears regular rewatching; a film as muscular and unyielding as its justice-dispensing, Lawgiver-wielding subject.</p><p>Karl Urban, aka Judge Dredd himself, has been the main cheerleader for the idea of a follow-up. This week, at Chicago Comic-Con, he revealed that it could become a reality, and that it might take the form of a prequel, based on the 2006 Origins storyline by Dredd’s original creators John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra. “There is a definite possibility [of a sequel],” <a href="http://www.movieweb.com/dredd-movie-sequel-prequel">Urban teased</a>. “But, it is more likely that we will do the origins story with Dredd trekking through the Cursed Earth to find the first Chief Judge Fargo.”</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/sep/12/week-in-geek-judge-dredd-sequel-should-adapt-origins">Continue reading...</a>Film adaptationsFilmCultureComics and graphic novelsBooksFri, 12 Sep 2014 07:00:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/sep/12/week-in-geek-judge-dredd-sequel-should-adapt-originsPhotograph: Public DomainRough justice … Karl Urban as the eponymous Judge in DreddPhotograph: Public DomainRough justice … Karl Urban as the eponymous Judge in DreddPhotograph: Rex FeaturesKarl Urban acts from the nose down in Dredd.Photograph: Rex FeaturesKarl Urban acts from the nose down in Dredd.Photograph: Joe AlblasMuscular and unyielding … Karl Urban in the 2012 cult classic Dredd. Photograph: Joe AlblasPhotograph: Joe AlblasMuscular and unyielding … Karl Urban in the 2012 cult classic Dredd. Photograph: Joe AlblasBen Child2014-09-12T07:00:04ZIt's got the Rock – now Warner's Shazam movie needs some nervehttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/sep/05/rock-shazam-warner-dc-needs-nerve
The execs are talking about 'a sense of fun', but the 40s-era quirks and alter egos need to be streamlined if their forthcoming superhero flick is to match up to its modern peers<p>Cynics might suggest Dwayne Johnson's <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRock/status/507293389759324161" title="">announcement this week</a> that he is to play the villain/antihero Black Adam in Warner's forthcoming Shazam superhero movie is designed to offset a previous sense of palpable apathy surrounding the venture. Johnson's tweet, which comes after a week or so of playful social media teasing, has certainly plunged the DC Comics movie into the public eye. The actor and wrestler is one of the two or three top-earning movie stars in the world right now, if the bean-counters at <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/22/robert-downey-jr-forbes-highest-earning" title="">Forbes magazine</a> are to be trusted, so it's no surprise his name conjures up a little extra wow-factor.</p><p>Further details about the movie remain mystically obscured, however. We have no idea who is up for the title role on Shazam, and there is no clue as to who will direct. Toby Emmerich, president of Warner offshoot New Line Cinema, hinted this week that the film will stand aside from any other comic book film of the current era. &quot;It feels to me like Shazam will have a tone unto itself,&quot; he told <a href="http://insidemovies.ew.com/2014/09/03/shazam-movie-rock-fun/" title="">Entertainment Weekly</a>. &quot;It's a DC comic, but it's not a Justice League character, and it's not a Marvel comic. The tone and the feeling of the movie will be different from the other range of comic book movies.&quot; Emmerich added that Shazam &quot;will have a sense of fun and a sense of humour. But the stakes have to be real.&quot;</p><p>BLACK ADAM. A complex psychology, motivated by bad ass dominance with a devilish charm. This'll be fun. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Teth?src=hash">#Teth</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Shazam?src=hash">#Shazam</a> <a href="http://t.co/zE4wtri3sT">http://t.co/zE4wtri3sT</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/sep/05/rock-shazam-warner-dc-needs-nerve">Continue reading...</a>FilmDwayne Johnson (The Rock)Superhero moviesComics and graphic novelsCultureWarner BrosFri, 05 Sep 2014 07:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/sep/05/rock-shazam-warner-dc-needs-nerveJonathan Hordle/REX/Jonathan Hordle/REXBig earner Dwayne Johnson AKA the Rock is set to play antihero Black Adam in Shazam. Photograph: Jonathan Hordle/REXJonathan Hordle/REX/Jonathan Hordle/REXBig earner Dwayne Johnson AKA the Rock is set to play antihero Black Adam in Shazam. Photograph: Jonathan Hordle/REXBen Child2014-09-05T07:30:00ZBig Hero 6 marks Disney's first proper step into comic-book adaptationhttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/sep/01/big-hero-6-disney-comic-book-film-movie-adaptation
This quirky movie shows that live-action films with real actors and CGI aren't always the best approach to the superhero genre<p>Nobody who has seen Pixar's <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/mar/19/disney-pixar-the-incredibles-cars-sequels" title="">The Incredibles</a> or Disney's <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/feb/05/bolt-disney-john-travolta-film-review-peter-bradshaw" title="">Bolt</a> should be in any doubt that animated superheroes can work superbly on the big screen. So it should come as no surprise that the Mouse House's first venture proper into comic-book territory, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3biFxZIJOQ" title="">Big Hero 6</a>, is picking up plenty of buzz ahead of its UK release in January (November for North America). US bloggers, who saw 25 minutes of footage earlier this week, reckon it could be <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/john-lasseter-dismisses-notion-rift-728424" title="">a frontrunner for next year's best animated film Oscar</a>.</p><p>We do know that the new film is culled from a Marvel comic about a Japanese team of superheroes, though to call it a loose adaptation would seem to be putting it mildly. While <a href="http://marvel.wikia.com/Big_Hero_Six" title="">the original print series centred on the titular team of costumed crime-fighters</a>, the movie seems to be a quirkier piece about the relationship between bright schoolboy inventor Hiro and his machine pal Baymax, a sort of &quot;How to Train Your Robot&quot; if you like. It is set in &quot;San Fransokyo&quot; and has been described by the film-makers as a &quot;love letter to Japanese culture&quot;.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/sep/01/big-hero-6-disney-comic-book-film-movie-adaptation">Continue reading...</a>Big Hero 6Superhero moviesComics and graphic novelsFilmCulturePixarAnimationWalt Disney CompanyMarvelMon, 01 Sep 2014 16:22:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/sep/01/big-hero-6-disney-comic-book-film-movie-adaptationDisneyBig Hero 6 … Disney's Pixar production of this comic-book property shows it is finally putting its abundant holdings to good use. Photograph: DisneyDisneyBig Hero 6 … Disney's Pixar production of this comic-book property shows it is finally putting its abundant holdings to good use. Photograph: DisneyBen Child2014-09-01T16:22:00ZComic-Con trailer paradise for Hollywood's 2014 movie blockbustershttp://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/29/comic-con-debut-2014-movie-trailers-hobbit-hunger-games
Glimpses of the new Hobbit and Hunger Games, along with Sin City 2 and Horns were among studio hopefuls on offer to comic-book fans at the San Diego convention<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jul/28/comic-con-2014-mad-max-fury-road-trailer-release-tom-hardy">• Comic-Con 2014: Mad Max: Fury Road roars into view</a><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/26/kevin-smith-comic-con-star-wars-tusk-bruce-willis">• Kevin Smith at Comic-Con: love for Star Wars and Tusk but not Bruce Willis</a><p>San Diego's <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/comic-con" title="">Comic-Con International</a> has become a huge deal in Hollywood in recent years, with studios falling over themselves to pique the interest of the legions of comic-book fans who attend. The good news is that you don't have to travel to southern California to get a taste of 2014's blockbuster wannabes: a slew of trailers that debuted inside the <a href="http://www.comic-con.org/" title="">San Diego Convention Centre</a>'s gargantuan Hall H have now hit the web – and there's no need to dress up like Xena the warrior princess to watch them.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/29/comic-con-debut-2014-movie-trailers-hobbit-hunger-games">Continue reading...</a>FilmFilm industryComic-Con 2014CultureComics and graphic novelsFestivalsComic-ConHunger GamesSuzanne CollinsThe Hunger GamesThe Hunger Games: Catching FireThe Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingThe Lord of the Rings: The Two TowersDaniel RadcliffeFrank MillerPeter JacksonPhilip Seymour HoffmanSin City: A Dame to Kill ForUS newsWorld newsHornsTue, 29 Jul 2014 16:03:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/29/comic-con-debut-2014-movie-trailers-hobbit-hunger-gamesMark Pokorny/APDefinitely the last time … Ian McKellen and Luke Evans in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, the final part of the Tolkien adaptation. Photograph: Mark Pokorny/APMark Pokorny/APDefinitely the last time … Ian McKellen and Luke Evans in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, the final part of the Tolkien adaptation. Photograph: Mark Pokorny/APBen Child2014-07-29T16:03:03ZMarvel studio at Comic-Con to map future of comic-book superhero filmshttp://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/24/marvel-studio-at-comic-con-guardians-of-the-galaxy-future-films
After Guardians of the Galaxy, Ant-Man and more of Captain America and the Avengers, a new Hulk movie is rumoured as well as big-screen debuts for Black Panther and Captain Marvel<p>We're expecting some major announcements when Marvel take to Hall H at Comic-Con, especially as the Disney-owned studio <a href="http://www.mtv.co.uk/avengers/news/marvel-studios-announces-another-new-movie-for-2018?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+mtvuk%2Fnews+(MTV+UK+-+News)" title="">recently revealed its basic timeline</a> for a dozen new films between now and 2019.</p><p>Beyond <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy" title="">Guardians of the Galaxy</a> in a week's time, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2395427/" title="">The Avengers: Age of Ultron</a> and Ant-Man in 2015 and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3498820/" title="">Captain America 3</a> the year after, only Marvel bigwigs really know what those movies will be. However, we can guess that Doctor Strange will be in there somewhere, and there will doubtless be third outings for Thor and the Avengers. There have been rumours of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jul/17/marvel-hulk-guardians-of-the-galaxy-week-in-geek" title="">a new Hulk solo movie</a>, as well as big-screen debuts for Black Panther and Captain Marvel.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/24/marvel-studio-at-comic-con-guardians-of-the-galaxy-future-films">Continue reading...</a>Comic-Con 2014Superhero moviesFilmMarvelCultureScience fiction and fantasyComic-ConComics and graphic novelsFestivalsThu, 24 Jul 2014 17:15:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/24/marvel-studio-at-comic-con-guardians-of-the-galaxy-future-filmsMoviestore/RexSupremely entertaining superhero space opera … Guardians of the Galaxy. Photograph: Moviestore/RexMoviestore/RexSupremely entertaining superhero space opera … Guardians of the Galaxy. Photograph: Moviestore/RexBen Child2014-07-24T17:15:00ZGuardians of the Galaxy first footage – Marvel smashes the superhero templatehttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jul/17/guardians-of-the-galaxy-preview
A manic racoon, a talking tree and a cruel green killer: will Marvel's gamble on this iconoclastic comic-book movie pay off?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/10/guardians-of-the-galaxy-marvel-summer-release">• Guardians of the Galaxy: Marvel's surefire summer action smash</a><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/16/ant-man-kevin-feige-rejects-marvel-criticism-over-edgar-wright-exit">• Ant-Man: Kevin Feige rejects Marvel criticism over Edgar Wright exit</a><p>It's been clear for some time now that Guardians of the Galaxy is a very different kind of comic-book movie: a barmy and bombastic space opera featuring a brigade of anthropomorphic cosmic misfits whom nobody outside of Marvel comics' hardcore fanbase had ever heard of before February's debut trailer. But watching 17 minutes of footage from the film, that were screened to UK bloggers and journalists on Tuesday, it soon became apparent that the latest movie from the Disney-owned Marvel Studios is more than just gently offbeat: it appears to be an entirely new kind of superhero movie – with no discernible superheroes.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jul/17/guardians-of-the-galaxy-preview">Continue reading...</a>Guardians of the GalaxySuperhero moviesFilmCultureMarvelComics and graphic novelsThu, 17 Jul 2014 10:53:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jul/17/guardians-of-the-galaxy-previewAllstar/MARVEL STUDIOS/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarRocket Raccoon and Groot from Guardians of the GalaxyRex FeaturesMonster hit? … Guardians of the Galaxy. Photograph: Rex FeaturesMoviestore/REX/Moviestore/REXGuardians of the Galaxy: Zoe Saldana, Rocket Raccoon, Chris Pratt, Groot, Dave Bautista Photograph: Moviestore/REXMoviestore/REX/Moviestore/REXGuardians of the Galaxy: Zoe Saldana, Rocket Raccoon, Chris Pratt, Groot, Dave Bautista Photograph: Moviestore/REXBen Child2014-07-17T10:53:00ZTarantino to revive Django character in new comic book story with Zorrohttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jun/19/quentin-tarantino-django-comic-book-zorro
Director will collaborate with Zorro writer Matt Wagner on a new title featuring both characters in an 'exciting new chapter'<p>Quentin Tarantino is to revive Django in comic-book form for a new title, in which the sharp-shooting bounty hunter teams up with pulp hero Zorro, <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/quentin-tarantino-write-comic-book-712768" title="">according to the Hollywood Reporter</a>.</p><p>Tarantino is collaborating with writer Matt Wagner on the project, which marks the first time the Oscar-winning film-maker has allowed one of his big-screen creations to continue his adventures in a new medium. Legendary comic-book publisher DC Entertainment will co-publish the new series with Dynamite Entertainment, which specialises in adapting iconic movie staples – RoboCop, The Terminator and Highlander have all featured.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jun/19/quentin-tarantino-django-comic-book-zorro">Continue reading...</a>The Hateful EightQuentin TarantinoFilmCultureComics and graphic novelsBooksDjango UnchainedThu, 19 Jun 2014 10:58:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jun/19/quentin-tarantino-django-comic-book-zorroKevin Winter/Getty ImagesMonument man … Quentin Tarantino accepts an Oscar for best original screenplay for Django Unchained in 2013. Photograph: Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesKevin Winter/Getty ImagesMonument man … Quentin Tarantino accepts an Oscar for best original screenplay for Django Unchained in 2013. Photograph: Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesBen Child2014-06-19T10:58:00ZSin City: A Dame to Kill For trailer – back to the graphic side of comicshttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jun/13/sin-city-a-dame-to-kill-for-trailer-comics-miller-rodriguez
Miller and Rodriguez's followup to their 2005 neo-noir will offer sci-fi fans a welcome break from robosuited megageniuses and aliens with conveniently all-American values<p>The Sin City film series offers a refreshingly alternative comic-book movie template to the currently popular superhero subgenre, one centred around booze – bullets and cruel deceit rather than spandex and mystical powers. Part two, A Dame to Kill For, arrives nine years after the original film hit cinemas and a full six after Frank Miller's ill-fated attempt at solo directing, 2008's <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/jan/02/the-spirit-film-review" title="">The Spirit</a>. The comic-book icon has wisely chosen to reunite with the experienced Robert Rodriguez for the sequel. A new longer trailer for the project, released this week, suggests their latest collaboration will try to recapture the original film's confident blend of neo-noir stylings, sexploitation and video game violence.</p><p>A Dame to Kill For is based on Miller's own Sin City comic book, which itself borrows liberally from the classic <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/double-indemnity" title="">1944 Billy Wilder noir Double Indemnity</a>. As with the original film, there will be several linked episodes, the multilinear narrative allowing for an ensemble cast which sees the returning Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba and Powers Boothe joining a raft of newcomers.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jun/13/sin-city-a-dame-to-kill-for-trailer-comics-miller-rodriguez">Continue reading...</a>Sin City: A Dame to Kill ForFilm adaptationsScience fiction and fantasyAction and adventureFilmFrank MillerCultureComics and graphic novelsBooksSin CityFri, 13 Jun 2014 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jun/13/sin-city-a-dame-to-kill-for-trailer-comics-miller-rodriguezPRBack for more ... Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Sin City 2PRJoseph Gordon-Levitt in Sin City 2Ben Child2014-06-13T07:00:00ZX-Men: First Class and its schoolboy behaviour – film on TV recaphttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/may/17/x-men-first-class-tv-film-recap
How did Professor X and Magneto go from being friends to sworn enemies? And why do X-Men mutants have such stupid names? Find out in X-Men: First Class, showing this Saturday at 9pm on Channel 4, but be prepared to cringe<p>Some origin stories are more interesting than others. Everyone knows that Bruce Wayne's parents were shot dead in an alleyway, and everyone's seen baby Superman blasting away from his exploding planet towards Earth. But the X-Men? Nobody seemed to care about where they came from. Perhaps it's because the X-Men are a pan-generational group of individuals with their own individual origin stories, or maybe because the main theme of the stories – that the mutants' struggle for acceptance is a handy double for racism, sexism, homophobia or any number of other issues – was so powerful that it didn't matter how they happened to pop into existence.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/may/17/x-men-first-class-tv-film-recap">Continue reading...</a>Superhero moviesCultureX-MenComics and graphic novelsTelevision & radioFilmX-Men: First ClassSat, 17 May 2014 12:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/may/17/x-men-first-class-tv-film-recapMurray Close/PRJanuary Jones (Emma Frost) meets Kevin Bacon (Sebastian Shaw). Photograph: Murray CloseMurray CloseWould Magneto, played by Michael Fassbender, have done all mutants a favour if he'd kept the name Erik? Photograph: Murray CloseMurray CloseWould Magneto, played by Michael Fassbender, have done all mutants a favour if he'd kept the name Erik? Photograph: Murray CloseStuart Heritage2014-05-17T12:00:00ZSpider-Man 2's amazing $200m resurrectionhttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/apr/11/amazing-spider-man-2-sequel-ressurection-garfield
With new villain Jamie Foxx and crackling chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, the Spider-Man franchise finally dives headlong into new territory. It's about time<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/09/amazing-spiderman-2-review">• Xan Brooks reviews The Amazing Spider-Man 2</a><p>They say if you throw enough money at a movie, it is bound to stick. I was one of those who saw Sony's move to revive Spider-Man on the big screen just five years after the failure of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3 as a wholly commercially driven decision. Two years ago, Marc Webb's <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/140156/spider-man-reboot" title="">The Amazing Spider-Man</a> failed to come up with anything remotely fresh in its perfectly adequate retelling of the wallcrawler's origin story. But the studio has turned round matters with its $200m (&pound;120m) sequel: all those greenbacks are now firmly trapped in Spidey's web, waiting for Hollywood to collect them as the movie drives all before it at the box office.</p><p>The Amazing Spider-Man 2 currently has a <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_amazing_spider_man_2/" title="">rating of 83% &quot;fresh&quot; on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes</a>, while the Guardian's Xan Brooks <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/09/amazing-spiderman-2-review" title="">reports that Webb has delivered a &quot;savvy, punchy and dashing&quot; sequel</a>. Webb's sequel has careered to the rescue of on of Hollywood's most controversial of revisited superhero sagas by finally delivering a story audiences have not seen before. With required <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/04/willem-dafoe-spider-man-reboot" title="">Spidey origins story segues</a> such as the death of Uncle Ben and that fight with Flash Thompson out of the way, it dives headlong into new territory with an audible cry of relief.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/apr/11/amazing-spider-man-2-sequel-ressurection-garfield">Continue reading...</a>The Amazing Spider-Man 2FilmAction and adventureCultureFilm adaptationsComics and graphic novelsAndrew GarfieldSony PicturesEmma StoneSuperhero moviesMarvelJamie FoxxFri, 11 Apr 2014 15:46:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/apr/11/amazing-spider-man-2-sequel-ressurection-garfieldMoviestore/RexBack on the beat ... The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Photograph: Moviestore/RexSportsphoto/Allstar/Columbia PicturesSticky … Jamie Foxx (left) and Andrew Garfield in the Amazing Spider-Man 2. Photograph: Sportsphoto/Allstar/Columbia PicturesSportsphoto/Allstar/Columbia PicturesSticky … Jamie Foxx (left) and Andrew Garfield in the Amazing Spider-Man 2. Photograph: Sportsphoto/Allstar/Columbia PicturesBen Child2014-04-11T15:46:00ZShell shock: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trailer suggests sinister tonehttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/mar/28/producer-michael-bay-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-trailer
Producer Michael Bay more grown-up reboot of the comic book characters looks to be both grimy and canonical<p>Those heroes in a half-shell are back, and this time they really do look like they've crawled out of some grimy corner of New York's sanitary system. The first trailer for producer Michael Bay's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot has hit the web, hinting at a more grown-up take on the comic book characters – four butt-kicking, pizza-munching reptiles – than has previously been seen on the big screen.</p><p>The new Donatello, Leonardo, Raphael and Michelangelo are sinister CGI creations, by contrast with the rubbery reptiles seen in the best-known <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/88127/teenage.mutant.ninja.turtles" title="">previous movie adaptation</a> from 1990. The presence of the excellent William Fichtner of The Dark Knight fame lends the film a classy, if threatening, tone as the villainous Shredder. The new April O'Neil, Megan Fox, looks frightened to death at the sight of the Turtles, and there's not so much as a hint of Vanilla Ice on the soundtrack.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/mar/28/producer-michael-bay-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-trailer">Continue reading...</a>Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesScience fiction and fantasyAction and adventureFilmMichael BayCultureComics and graphic novelsFri, 28 Mar 2014 12:40:19 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/mar/28/producer-michael-bay-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-trailerParamount PicturesFox v turtle … Megan Fox in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Photograph: Paramount PicturesParamount PicturesFox v turtle …Megan Fox in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Photograph: Paramount PicturesBen Child2014-03-28T12:40:19ZSpider-Man origins series will take films into full supervillain territoryhttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/mar/13/week-geek-film-spiderman-spinoff-sony
Sony looks as if it will be asking audiences to empathise with characters we all know end up as nasty pieces of work<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/feb/26/spider-man-new-movie-every-year-sony">• New Spider-Man movie to be released every year, says Sony</a><p>Not long ago on this blog I mused on how tough it might be for Marvel to pull off a Thor spin-off featuring Loki, despite the rabid determination of fans to see a movie centred on the Asgardian supervillain making its way to the big screen. Based on a reading of recent Hollywood history, I was pretty confident such a proposition would never get beyond pie in the sky stage, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/sep/19/thor-the-dark-world-loki" title="">even with the wonderful Tom Hiddleston's unmistakable dark-hearted charm to plunder</a>. Studios, or so I thought at the time, simply have neither the guts nor the imaginative verve to deliver big-budget movies focused on bad guys. Outside of arthouse fare, we are still stuck with a dollar-driven formula that means the hero always has to win in the end, even if it is the villain who has made the greatest impact on audiences. </p><p>But every now and again, the quirks of commercial film-making throw up something altogether weird and unexpected. So it now appears to be with the Amazing Spider-Man series, which Sony this week confirmed is about to spin-off into full-on supervillain territory.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/mar/13/week-geek-film-spiderman-spinoff-sony">Continue reading...</a>Superhero moviesFilmCultureScience fiction and fantasyAnimationComics and graphic novelsThu, 13 Mar 2014 16:47:53 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/mar/13/week-geek-film-spiderman-spinoff-sonyColumbia Pictures/Sportsphoto/AllstarGood v evil … Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker and Jamie Foxx as Max Dillon in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Photograph: Columbia Pictures/Sportsphoto/AllstarColumbia Pictures/Sportsphoto/AllstarGood v evil … Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker and Jamie Foxx as Max Dillon in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Photograph: Columbia Pictures/Sportsphoto/AllstarBen Child2014-03-13T16:47:53ZPriest recap: vampire-slaying saviours who work for the Church…http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/feb/01/priest-film-recap-vampires-paul-bettany
(…but it's nothing to do with religion). Paul Bettany stars in this Korean comic-inspired romp, showing on C4 at 10pm this evening. Enhance your viewing with this lowdown<p>Remember <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/134878/legion" title="">Legion</a>? Sure you do. It was that 2010 Scott Stewart fantasy action film with strong religious overtones where Paul Bettany had to go to the desert to stop some angels from killing all the humans. You remember it. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_y-VxF_4tE" title="">Its trailer had that old lady spider-zombie in it</a>. It wasn't quite as good as you thought it'd be. Remember?</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/feb/01/priest-film-recap-vampires-paul-bettany">Continue reading...</a>Paul BettanyScience fiction and fantasyFilmCultureComics and graphic novelsChannel 4Television & radioAction and adventureHorrorSat, 01 Feb 2014 18:25:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/feb/01/priest-film-recap-vampires-paul-bettanySportsphoto Ltd/AllstarPaul Bettany as the Priest: see that crucifix? It's actually a ninja thing. Photograph: Sportsphoto Ltd/AllstarSportsphoto Ltd/AllstarPaul Bettany as the Priest: see that crucifix? It's actually a ninja thing. Photograph: Sportsphoto Ltd/AllstarStuart Heritage2014-02-01T18:25:16Z2014's most promising sci-fi and fantasy films: Week in geek's pickshttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jan/10/2014-sci-fi-fantasy-films
A year to match the halcyon days of the early 80s? Unlikely, but with a Christopher Nolan space odyssey and Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic coming out, there's still plenty to get excited about<br /><br />• <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/series/2014-in-film-preview">More films to look out for in 2014</a><p>Ask a sci-fi fan to name the greatest ever year for genre movies and they will probably nod towards 1982, when <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/76627/blade-runner">Blade Runner</a>, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/92910/e.t.the.extra-terrestrial">ET</a>, Tron, Conan the Barbarian and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/79511/star-trek-ii">Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan</a> hit cinemas. It's difficult to predict a return to such dizzy heights in 2014, not least because so many of the movies on offer are remakes, sequels or rip-offs. The celluloid world has had its edges rounded off since the halcyon days of the early 80s, but there's still plenty to get excited about.</p><p>Those who shudder at the thought of yet another year of superhero flicks will no doubt be pleased to hear that our spandex-sporting pals are in (relatively) short supply in 2014, while the ever-increasing popularity of science fiction (coupled with the box office success of one <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/christopher-nolan">Christopher Nolan</a> in recent years) means a handful of leftfield futuristic ventures are due to arrive in multiplexes.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jan/10/2014-sci-fi-fantasy-films">Continue reading...</a>Science fiction and fantasyFilmComics and graphic novelsMarvelAction and adventureCultureChristopher NolanDarren AronofskyPeter JacksonFilm adaptationsSuperhero moviesFri, 10 Jan 2014 16:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jan/10/2014-sci-fi-fantasy-filmsPRBack in black ... A still from the Robocop remakeWarner BrothersNumber's up ... Johnny Depp in a still from Transcendence, one of 2014's high-profile sci-fi releases. Photograph: Warner BrothersWarner BrothersCrack in the code ... Johnny Depp in a still from Transcendence Photograph: Warner BrothersBen Child2014-01-10T16:01:00ZTop 10 animated movieshttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/nov/20/top-10-animated-movies-films
Moving bits of paper around (the old way) or painting with billions of pixels (the new) has conjured up some of the greatest films of all time. From The Iron Giant to Persepolis, Guardian and Observer critics pick the 10 best<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/oct/28/top-10-war-movies">• Top 10 war movies</a><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/nov/01/top-10-teen-movies">• Top 10 teen movies</a><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/nov/04/top-10-superhero-movies">• Top 10 superhero movies</a><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/nov/08/top-10-movie-westerns">• Top 10 westerns</a><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/nov/12/top-10-documentaries">• Top 10 documentaries</a><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/nov/15/top-10-movie-adaptations">• Top 10 movie adaptations</a><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/series/top-10-films">• More Guardian and Observer critics' top 10s</a> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/nov/20/top-10-animated-movies-films">Continue reading...</a>AnimationFilmWorld cinemaFairytalesBooksFilm adaptationsBrad BirdTed HughesThe BeatlesMarjane SatrapiComics and graphic novelsAardmanMel GibsonHayao MiyazakiPixarFamilyWalt Disney CompanyClassical musicThe Iron GiantPersepolisWed, 20 Nov 2013 15:07:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/nov/20/top-10-animated-movies-filmsPRPRPRApple Corpsc.Sony/Everett / Rex FeaturesAllstar/Cinetext/DREAMWORKS SKG/Allstar/Cinetext/DREAMWORKS SKGDisney/Everett/Rex FeaturesPublic DomainRonald Grant ArchivePRPRQUALITY:2ND GENERATION--
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IRON GIANT 5Chris Michael2013-11-20T15:07:00Z